September 23, 2007

 

Making the Most of Every Opportunity

Have you ever noticed how much time and energy is spent getting ready for what is coming next? People send their

children to preschool to get them ready for school. While they are in school people are reminding them that this is

the time to get ready for college. While they are in college, they are advised to consider how their decisions may affect

their career. Once they get married, often they turn their attention to getting ready to have children and raise a family.

As children are born, they start the search for the right preschool. Now they are also thinking about saving for college,

finding the right house, and preparing for retirement.

If you are not careful you can spend so much time and energy being anxious about what is coming next, that you neglect

to fully appreciate the opportunities and experiences of your current situation.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying that you should not consider preparing for what lies around the next corner. It can

be quite dangerous to live your life guided only by the concerns of the next few days. Nevertheless, if you spend all your

time worrying about tomorrow — especially a tomorrow that will not be here for several years—you are likely to miss out

on some of the best opportunities you will have to experience God’s mercy and grace. Perhaps we need more people

reminding us to make the most of the time we have right now.

Paul encourages the Colossians to make the most of every opportunity to share their faith with the people in their lives

(Colossians 4:5). Every conversation is an opportunity to spread some of God’s grace to an otherwise pretty unsavory

world. Consider this question: Will you trust God enough with your life—and all the events you are preparing for—to make

the most of the opportunities God gives you to build a relationship with someone who needs to hear the good news of God’s

love? If you will, then you may be more ready for what is coming next than you ever imagined.